(19)
(11) EP 1 854 584 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
05.11.2008 Bulletin 2008/45

(43) Date of publication A2:
14.11.2007 Bulletin 2007/46

(21) Application number: 07016556.8

(22) Date of filing: 10.03.2000
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B24B 9/14(2006.01)
G01B 5/20(2006.01)
 G01B 7/28(2006.01)
G01B 21/20(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

(30) Priority: 16.03.1999 US 270115

(62) Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
00104529.3 / 1037008

(71) Applicant: National Optronics, Inc.
Charlottesville VA 22902 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Andrews, Daniel E
    Chartlottesvile, Virginiea 22901 (US)
  • Fietzke, Guenter G.
    Forest, VA 24551-2918 (US)
  • Kountz, David L.
    Lynchburg, Virginia 23503 (US)
  • Doan, Andrew W.
    Lynchburg, VA 24502-1920 (US)
  • Rarick, Kimber W.
    Muskogee, Oklahoma 74401 (US)
  • Wills, Don S.
    Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74014 (US)
  • Moon, Martin A.
    Tulsa, Oklahoma 74105 (US)
  • Davis, Ryan J.
    Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012-3217 (US)
  • Rathbone, John T.
    Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74001 (US)

(74) Representative: Paul, Dieter-Alfred et al
Paul & Albrecht Patentanwaltssozietät Hellersbergstrasse 18
41460 Neuss
41460 Neuss (DE)

   


(54) Tracer, clamp, and object engager for lens mount of an eyeglass frame.


(57) A tracer (10) is provided for tracing a lens (61A) mount of an eyeglass frame (30), a lens (61A) or a lens pattern (61B). The tracer (10) comprises an object engager (84) and an actuator (83). The object engager (84) is adapted to engage the lens mount (11), the lens (61A) or the lens pattern (61B). The actuator (83) is adapted to move the object engager into contact with and then along the lens mount, the lens (61A) or the lens pattern (61B) in such a way that during movement therealong, the object engager remains against the object being traced even when the shape thereof includes high wrap. Preferably, the tracer (10) has a shift mechanism adapted to shift the object engager from alignment with the lens mount (11) to alignment with a second lens mount of the eyeglass frame (30). The actuator preferably is further adapted to trace the second lens mount in substantially the same way as the first. The actuator further includes a rotator (90) and a pivot mechanism (94). The rotator (90) is adapted to rotate the object engager (84) along the object being traced. The pivot mechanism (94) facilitates movement of the object engager (84) toward or away from the axis as the object engager is actuated along the object. The object engager (84) can extend or retract along the pivot mechanism (94). A clamp (28) for the tracer (10) and an object engager (84) also are provided.







Search report